I too often wear the explorer 1 as my daily watch. It totally flies under the radar and is really legible. I got mine from a jeweler in Texas, duffs, that shipped the watch to me in a cardboard box with a paper towel wrapped around it. Idiots. Anyway, years later, I still wear mine , second only to my deep blue which is huge on my wrist by comparison.

Just read your story love it! I'm getting ready to pull trigger on MK1. Quick question for you guys in your opinion is it more desirable for future to have a letter serial number "G" or random serial number if condition of the watch is exactly the same?

In between this or the Mk2 and it's really coming down to price and availability at this point. I think the lume is a litle more important to me than the hand size but I'm still so torn. Thanks for this review, very helpful!

The Explorer is a fantastic watch. I bought one for my father in law recently, but he does not want to wear such an expensive watch, so he gave it back to me !!! Although I am a big fan of divers, this watch has a sweet face. Almost perfect proportions.

ExSubGMT, I really enjoyed your post on the Explorer 214270 M1. I was in NYC at several ADs - they have none of Rolex's so-call professional watches in their inventory (of course that includes the Explorer, Sub etc.). What a disappointment I was looking forward to wearing my Explorer home. When I asked about the M1 they told me that it is now impossible for them to get me the M1! I really like the M1. The short hands don't bother me and of course as I see it you get more 18kt White GOLD :-) :-). IMHO both the M1 and M2 are beautiful stunning watches. They are practically identical with the same movement, same bracelet - that why they share the same reference number. Neither watch is better than the other. There are no significant differences between the two watches except for the hands and chromalight numerals vs the 18K Gold numerals. The M1 is no longer an option for me because for my first Rolex I deserve a brand new one! :-). So now I'm impatiently awaiting the arrival of my M2. All the best!